I bought a used 222 sako L461 last year. It's bluing is 98% and the stock has no scratches or marks, I would really rate gun at 95%. I shot last winter maybe 30 rounds, it was a inch rifle. I started loading this weekend, cannot hit the lands with a 40 50gr bullet. Can touch with a 55 seated .25" into case neck. The store I bought it from said they would take it back and refund money. I am considering re-barrel but that ruins any collector value. What would you do?

Mike: I checked my copy of Fjestad's Blue Book, 30th Ed., so is a year or so old. They list a 95 percenter at $775; might be a few dollars more in the latest edition. It comes down to whether you want a shooter or a collector piece. My wild guess is that there aren't a heck of a lot of Sako collectors out there, and if it isn't a tack driver they aren't going to pay much for it. I think most guys would want to buy it for the action anyway. You might as well use it for the action and put a good barrel on it. My dad made up a light bench class rifle in .222 many years ago on a Vixen action using a Hart barrel. I sold it to my hunting buddy and he said it will shoot anything into quarter-inch groups; doesn't matter what the load is. I'd sure try some different loads with a selection of bullets and powders first before doing anything with it. Who knows, you might hit on a winning combination. If it can't be made it shoot I'd sure put a new barrel on it. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Good luck.

Terrry I am trying 50 55 tomorrow. Thanks verminator looks like I have a little bit more than that tied up in it. I am going to try to get a little money back from the dealer to re-barrel, if they do then off to pac nor. Terry only looking to get between 200-250 out of it. Any suggestions other than 222(I am not a big 20 cal fan).

Try shooting it with several seating depths and don't worry so much about being able to touch the lands. Some rifles need more "jump" than others. Why give up so soon? Most of the fun for me is in the tinkering. Good luck.

MikeThere is a take off Sako Vixen .223 barrel on Gun Broker. Barrel looks very good except for it may need re-crowned. Few Pre-Garcia Vixen's were chambered for .223. The ad & pictures do not indicate it is a Bofer (sp?) Steel. Meaning, it may be a late model barrel and not make your gun original era like you want.

Keep trying. Take a hard look at some of the Hornady SP and Sierra bullets that have a "sharper" ogive. The longer bullet shank may get you closer to the lands.

Frankly, if you are not shooting larger varmints, why not rebarrel with a Hart in 20 Vartarg or 221. Ive had several 222's and love them. Usually get best groups with 50 grain bullets and some H322, 10 thou off the lands. Last 222 shot any 50 grain I put through it..Nosler BT, Hordady Vmax, Amax, SP...just HATED varmint grenades. That Sako action is very nice for a small walkabout varminter along the lines of a Rem light varmint. If you have no luck, rebarrel.

Try shooting it with several seating depths and don't worry so much about being able to touch the lands. Some rifles need more "jump" than others. Why give up so soon? Most of the fun for me is in the tinkering. Good luck.

I shot on Sun most groups with 50gr hornady soft points either 322 h4198 or blc-2 were in the 1 1/2 to 2" range. I have several other rifles that like to be seated of lands they all group into a 1/2'. I just think their may not be any hope for this one. I have thought about barreling it to 221, but I really don't like remington brass and don't want to for 222 lapua down. If they offer my money back I think I'll try a cooper in 204. Thanks for all the advice, I will keep you all posted.

Mike - Have you checked all the "usual" items that can affect poor groups regardless of ammo? If you haven't, I'd go through all your mounting screws for the scope and action to make sure something isn't loose or broken. I had that happen once. Burned a lot of powder just to find I had a scope ring windage screw head sheared but still intact. Had to go through all the screws just to find the issue because visually things looked fine. Just my 2 pennies for the discussion. Good luck because I have heard nothing but great things about the Sako 222s.

Wls I think I have more of a chamber problem, own five other sakos and they are all excellent rifles. I use sako factory bases of everyone of them. Great thing to bring up, but I checked that also.Mike

About 50 years ago I bought a new 222 Sako Forester and I had the same experience

as you.

I found that it shot great with a "jump", but several thousand rounds (and years) later the accuracy started to deteriorate and I rebarreled it. The new Hart barrel shot extremely well anywhere from zero (touching) to .010 off, but with any more jump it wouldn't hit the side of a barn from the inside, with the floor and roof as optional targets.